The Daily Star Ireland
Gardaí have identified a primary suspect in the murder of a 63-year-old convicted criminal in Dublin, who died from a single stab wound to his heart. Anthony ‘Josh’ Fowler was confronted by at least two young men shortly after midnight outside his home at Dunsink Green, Finglas. These individuals claimed that another man known to Mr. Fowler owed a drug debt.
The victim, although known to gardaí, was not a major figure in organized crime. However, he had become involved in gangland activities and had served a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for cannabis cultivation. Mr. Fowler had been targeted by the notorious ‘Mr. Flashy’ gang both before and after his imprisonment. Gardaí had previously responded to an assault linked to this dispute about two years ago, during which Mr. Fowler was brutally attacked on Ratoath Road.
A source described Mr. Fowler as a likable person, kind in his own way, who enjoyed a good joke. He had a passion for horses and took care of them in stables in the Dunsink area. Despite his efforts, he struggled to escape the world of criminality and his associates’ involvement in gangland feuds in Finglas, which ultimately led to his death.
The drug debt at the center of this murder was reportedly not owed by Mr. Fowler but by a young man well known to him. The chief suspect in the case claims he did not intend to kill Mr. Fowler and does not have any significant previous criminal convictions. The debt in question is believed to be only a few hundred euros.
Following the attack, a heavy garda presence was seen at the scene yesterday morning, with part of Dunsink Green sealed off with garda tape. Members of the Garda Technical Bureau focused on the corner house where the attack took place, assessing the scene and gathering evidence.
The location of the attack is near where Mr. Fowler’s son, Shane Fowler, died in a motorbike crash in 2018 while allegedly in possession of a gun. Shane Fowler collided with a lamp-post on May 6, 2018, and emergency services found a handgun nearby. As they attended to Shane, someone from the gathered crowd took the gun from the scene. It was not believed that Shane was being chased at the time of the crash. One line of investigation suggested he might have been on his way to commit a murder or deliver the gun to others. Shane had been linked to an ongoing feud with the ‘Mr. Flashy’ gang in the area.
Today, a plaque marks the site of Shane Fowler’s crash, adorned with floral tributes and soft toys, and a photograph of Shane in a white shirt, bow tie, and grey waistcoat. Another relative of ‘Josh’ Fowler, currently abroad, has indicated a willingness to return home despite gardaí wanting to interview him regarding several matters. This man, in his mid-30s, was previously convicted of attempting to smuggle drugs into jail for Mr. Fowler while he was serving a sentence for drug dealing in Mountjoy Prison.
Gardaí have appointed a senior investigating officer to lead the murder investigation and have established an incident room at Finglas garda station. A family liaison officer will be assigned to support Mr. Fowler’s relatives.
